Faith Features

It doesn’t look much at the moment, but the St Albans Woodland Trust's Green Burial ground at Keysoe near Bedford is the way forward when it comes to dealing with a family death.

Cremation gives off harmful emissions and municipal cemeteries are running out of space for internment of ashes and burials. The green alternative uses coffins of wood, wicker and cardboard which biodegrade. These are then buried in a woodland glade with a wooden memorial which will also rot away in time.

This is not the first green burial ground in the three counties. The difference though is that this ground has been consecrated - one of only two in the country. The service of consecration by Bishop Richard Inwood, Bishop of Bedford, in June means that means that the land cannot be reused and the graves cannot be disturbed.

The site is not just used for burial.  Some people express a preference for cremation and ashes can be interred here as well in biodegradable containers. The scattering of ashes is also an option with the ashes being strewn under the woodland turf.

Although linked to the Anglican Diocese of St Albans, the Trust are accepting burials and internments from across the country and of all faiths and none. Charlie Royden Vicar of St Marks Putnoe and Linda Parry administer the site.

Charlie says that they like to know what kind of service is being planned to avoid any unusual rituals that might be offensive on consecrated ground. He says the experience is so moving that people stand and talk long after the service has finished.

The site is wonderfully tranquil already and as the trees develop it will be a wonderful woodland glade open to all. Charlie is an enthusiastic supporter of green burial and he says he would like to see consecrated burial grounds across the country.